Assam Agricultural University (AAU) and ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad, organised a two-day consultative workshop in Guwahati on Monday and Tuesday.
The workshop was organised organized as a part of the World Bank-sponsored National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) Component – 2A.
It was held to assess the existing linkages among agriculture, horticulture, veterinary and fishery universities with industries and government.
The idea was also to strengthen Agricultural Higher Education and to understand the existing support system from the state government in raising the quality and relevance of Agricultural Higher Education.
A total of 63 participants representing the agriculture sector, state government and universities from across Northeast took part in the workshop.
Deans of various agriculture, veterinary, fisheries and community science colleges located across Northeast took part in the workshop.
The delegates spoke at length regarding the existing linkage among academia, government and industry as well as each other’s expectations and expertise available which can be of use for other stakeholders.
Former vice-chancellor of AAU KM Bujarbaruah, speaking on the occasion, appreciated the effort of bringing all stakeholders in one platform for collecting valuable ideas for improving the agricultural education in the country.
He also highlighted the need for a laboratory at the university level for catering to the need of the industry.
“This will minimize the expenses at the industry level and hence the benefits will percolate to the farmers at economical and affordable prices,” he said.
He also stressed upon the need for Industry Chairs to carry out industry research.
Speaking on the occasion ICAR-NAARM scientist Sanjiv Kumar highlighted explained the importance of linkage among the industry, academia and government.
Various participants also shared their experiences and provided a host of suggestions to implement for quality education at the university level.